President Obama has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize

President Barack Obama has been awarded the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

Those of you who follow my blog are aware that I am a Pacifist and against war. When it comes to President Obama I remain supportive. Some of you may not understand this but I maintain that when he was running for office, he never stated that he was ending war.

While it is true that he did not vote to start the war in Iraq he repeatedly stated that, if elected, he would cut back troops in Iraq (which he has done) and that he would accelerate the number of troops in Afghanistan. (Also done).

So I am not surprised at his actions. I am a little surprised at some of his supporters and Peace groups who are telling him that he has not complied with his promises regarding War.

He was very up front with his intentions.

I am also aware that he is in a situation that he inherited from the Bush era and I am praying that he will announce a resolution and withdrawal from Afghanistan in the near future.

Having said that I have been closely watching the global response to President Obama. When the outcome of the U.S. election was announced I received an e-mail that showed the front page of the newspapers of every state in the Union. All of them were hopeful and jubilant. Included in that message were also the front pages of newspapers from around the entire world.

They all expressed joy at the election of Barack Obama.

I believe that if one is meeting another person across the table for peaceful negotiations it does make a difference if you believe that he/she can relate to you. President Obama has a multicultural background and is also very intelligent and that is recognized by world leaders.

In the days following his inauguration some of his first actions were to reach out to the opposing political party and he also reached out to leaders of many countries, cultures and faiths around the world.

He spoke at the United Nations calling for global responsibility of nuclear technology. He has been acting as an agent of change where ever he goes.

This did not go unnoticed and I believe that this interaction along with the many visits from world leaders and his visible presence and rapport in many countries are directly responsible for his receiving the honor of Nobel Peace Prize Recipient.

He is receiving congratulations from around the world, however, there are some in this country who are already spewing vitriolic hatred over the airways.

President Obama says in his acceptance speech “I know that throughout history, the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes. And that is why I will accept this award as a call to action -- a call for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st century.”

That is a clear call for action for us in this country and those globally!




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To those expressing outrage - President Obama did not seek this award and it is not his fault that he has received it - he should not be blamed for it.

I hope you will join me in feeling happiness that this prestigious award has been presented to the President of the United States, Barack Obama.

This is a good image for the country – let us enjoy it with him.

More on this topic tomorrow.